Method of constructing a box clip

ABSTRACT

A method of constructing a box clip, embodying a wire spring clip, from a single, rectangular pliable member. The member is first divided longitudinally into six parallel sections. The member is then completely bent and folded along the boundary line between the first and second sections resulting in a first fold. A plurality of spring clips are installed in a spacedapart relationship on the edge of the first fold. Section 6 is then covered with a suitable adhesive and the member is completely bent along the boundary line between the second and third sections, resulting in a second fold. The member is then again bent on the line between the fourth and fifth sections, resulting in a third fold. The folded structure is then pressed tightly for adhesion of the folds to each other and to the springs. Thereafter the folded structure is cut between the springs to produce flat individual shells for box clips. Each box shell is then ready for assembly with a standard slide box tray of appropriate dimensions to produce a box clip. To assemble, the flat shell is merely raised into a vertical position so that sections three and five become the side walls of the box.

[4 Oct. 21, 1975 METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING A BOX CLIP [76] Inventor: Olin B. Sparks, 8834 Birdwood Road, Houston, Tex. 77036 22 Filed: July 16, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 379,282

[44] Published under the Trial Voluntary Protest Program on January 28, 1975 as document no. B 379,282.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1956 Brady 40/23 R X 7/1963 Frye 24/67 R 1/1971 Verguson 40/23 R X Primary ExaminerRoy Lake Assistant Examiner-James F. Coan Attorney, Agent, or FirmMichael P. Breston [57] ABSTRACT A method of constructing a box clip, embodying a wire spring clip, from a single, rectangular pliable member. The member is first divided longitudinally into six parallel sections. The member is then completely bent and folded along the boundary line between the first and second sections resulting in a first fold. A plurality of spring clips are installed in a spacedapart relationship on the edge of the first fold.

Section 6 is then covered with a suitable adhesive and i the member is completely bent along the boundary line between the second and third sections, resulting in a second fold. The member is then again bent on the line between the fourth and fifth sections, resulting in a third fold. The folded structure is then pressed tightly for adhesion of the folds to each other and to the springs. Thereafter the folded structure is cut between the springs to produce flat individual shells for box clips. Each box shell is then ready for assembly with a standard slide box tray of appropriate dimensions to produce a box clip. To assemble, the flat shell is merely raised into a vertical position so that sections three and five become the side walls of the box.

2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures US. Patent 0a. 21, 1975 ADHESIVE 6TH SECTION IST SECTION 2ND SECTION 3RD SECTION 5TH SECTION 4TH SECTION 6TH SECTION 2ND SECTION IST SECTION 3RD SECTION IST SECTION 3O ADHESIVE FIG. 5.

6TH SECTION 5TH SECTION METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING A BOX CLIP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Spring-biased, folded clips are known. One such clip is described in US. Pat. No. 1,897,755. Another such clip is described in US. Pat. No. 1,818,559. The known clips serve the function of removably clipping flat members, typically pages of documents or files.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new spring-biased, foldable box clip which can serve both as an index clip and as a box clip for storage of articles associated with the clipped member.

This application is related to Applicants copending application Ser. No. 379,281, and now US. Pat. No. 3,839,118.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A method of constructing box clips from a single, rectangular, pliable member which comprises: dividing the member longitudinally into six parallel rectangular sections, forming a first fold between the first and second sections, installing a plurality of spaced-apart spring clips along the edge of the resulting first fold, covering the sixth section with an adhesive, forming a second fold between the second and third sections, forming a third fold between the fourth and fifth sections, adhering the first and sixth sections, and cutting the folded structure between the spring clips to provide individual shells for box clips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a fiat member longitudinally scored to facilitate the folding of the member to the proper dimensions;

FIG. 2 shows a plurality of spring clips installed on the edge of the first fold and an adhesive applied to a portion of the member;

FIG. 3 shows the spring clip of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows the folded structure in the process of being bent on the remaining scores and prior to the folds being interadhered;

FIG. 5 shows the completely folded, flat structure prior to being cut to finished size;

FIG. 6 shows an individual box clip shell resulting from the cutting operation and raised into position to receive a standard slide box tray of appropriate dimensions; and

FIG. 7 shows an assembled box clip ready to accept an article to be clipped.

Referring to the drawings, wherein the same numerals are used to designate the same parts, there is shown a flat member 10 ofa suitable material. Member 10 has a rectangular configuration. While all sides thereof may be equal, it is preferred that its length dimension be slightly longer than its width dimension. The material may be paper, leather, plastic, etc., and preferably is a material which will easily accept printed indicia and writing thereon. Materials of various colors may be used to provide the user an additional variety based on color.

Scores -19 divide member 10 into first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth sections, respectively. The widths of the combined sections three and four and combined sections five and six are made progressively larger than the width of the second section for reasons which will become subsequently apparent.

The scored board is then completely folded on score 15 (FIG. 2) to provide a first fold on the edge of which are installed a plurality of metal spring clips 14. While this invention is not limited to any particular type spring 14, in the preferred embodiment it is a wire spring having a triangular configuration with a base 24 and two equal legs 25 and 26 whose free ends 27, 28 extend past their intersection 29. The legs 25, 26 can be sprung apart to insert therebetween and to exert spring pressure on the edge of a flat article desired to be clipped.

After installing springs 14 on the first fold, a suitable adhesive 30 is applied over the entire surface of the sixth section. Member 10 is then completely bent upon itself, first along score 16 and then along score 18. In the folded structure, score 15 will lie below score 18 and the separation may be according to the depth box desired. The completely folded structure is then pressed tightly for adhesion of all glued folds to each other and to the spring clips (FIG. 5). The folded structure is then cut between the springs to produce individual, fiat shells 34 for the box clips (FIG. 6). Each box shell 34 is then ready for assembly with a standard box tray 38 of appropriate dimensions to produce a box clip 40 (FIG. 7). To assemble members 34 and 38, the flat shell 34 is merely raised into a vertical position so that sections three and five become the side walls of box clip 40.

With the dimensions as previously given, the upper half 36 of each individual box clip 40 will be shorter than the bottom half 37 which defines a laterallyextending portion 37' to facilitate the insertion of a flat, thin article 41 desired to be clipped. The clipped article will cause the legs 25, 26 of the spring clip 14 to separate but they will continue to exert spring pressure against the edge of the article inserted therebetween. The smooth inner folds of the box clip 40 serve to protect the clipped article against mutilation by the metal spring 14. The outer folds can bear printed legends or other decoration, and as previously mentioned may be of a distinct color.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of constructing box clips from a substantially rectangular, pliable member, comprising:

a. dividing the member longitudinally into six parallel sections;

b. forming a first fold on the line between the first and the second sections;

c. installing a plurality of spaced-apart spring clips along the edge of said first fold;

d. covering the sixth section with an adhesive;

e. forming a second fold along the line between said second and third sections near the inner ends of said spring clips;

f. forming a third fold along the line between said fourth and fifth sections; and

g. adhering said first section to said sixth section to thereby enclose said spring clips by said folds.

2. The method of claim 1, and

h. cutting the folded and adhered structure, resulting from step (g), between said spring clips to produce individual box clips. 

1. A method of constructing box clips from a substantially rectangular, pliable member, comprising: a. dividing the member longitudinally into six parallel sections; b. forming a first fold on the line between the first and the second sections; c. installing a plurality of spaced-apart spring clips along the edge of said first fold; d. covering the sixth section with an adhesive; e. forming a second fold along the line between said second and third sections near the inner ends of said spring clips; f. forming a third fold along the line between said fourth and fifth sections; and g. adhering said first section to said sixth section to thereby enclose said spring clips by said folds.
 2. The method of claim 1, and h. cutting the folded and adhered structure, resulting from step (g), between said spring clips to produce individual box clips. 